Disc Buldge ( Strange situation ).

Hi Experts,

Before I ask my question I want to give you a brief history of the chain of events which caused it.

Feb 2009 :- Am perfectly fit, do a workout of about 1 Hr everyday at gym.

Mar 2009 :- I experience some pain in my right hand near elbow towards my wrist.
I think it's normal I take rest for some time.

April 2009 :- I find it's not getting better, I consult a orthopedics doctor. He advises some Heat wave diathermy and ultrasound treatment. I am better.

May 2009 :- I fall in some water park, feel pain in my butt and back of thigh, but as I was under medication for my hand it subsides.

June 2009:- I leave medication for my hand, one day while going upstairs, somewhere in end of June I feel some heat sensation in my butt and thigh and I have problem walking. Again I visit orthopedics doctor and the same ultrasound and heat wave diathermy treatment for the back of thigh.

August 2009 :- I was still in pain, went to visit another doctor. He suggests MRI scan and the result is "Mild diffuse bulge of L3-4 disc indenting the thecal sac without significant nerve root compression."  

Can you please give me an insight into it. What does it mean, if it is curable without surgery. How much time does it generally takes to cure and how helpful are the exercises for it.

Thanks in advance.            

[Aysen]

Hello. I just subscribed to the list. Unfortunately, there is no easy cure for back pains like this. I was a gym rat like you.

I  have a "tiny" disk bulge (l3, l4, l5) but did not show in MR. It showed in Catscan. the pain started in August 2008 after a regular exercise....I was on muscle relaxers and morphine shots for a year . The acute pain started to go away in June but it is on and off now, though i am not taking any prescribed pain killers right now... I may get an epidural injection in September. Epidural is only a temporary relief (1 month or 1 year)

I don't have numbness on my leg and foot but my leg joints sour..

The reason I got this is because I overexercised (running, biking, lifting) for 3 hours a day without STRETCHING enough.

My recommendation is: STOP heavy lifting and other things. Start physical therapy and right kind of stretching-- recommended by physical therapist (not necessarily yoga or pilates). Do not carry more than 2 pounds.  Otherwise, it will get worse. Mine got worse  because I continued to exercise and could not accept the fact. Here I am now!!